JEWELRY KILLS

Background Info

Jewelry production includes many steps ranging from 1-7:

CAD Software- a digital tool that allows creators to create precise 3D models of jewelry pieces. Allows for the creation of prototypes quickly and efficiently while being accurate and detailed.
3D wax printing- creates molds using a 3D printing technology to create complex designs. Using this technology, it eliminates the need for traditional wax casting which is time consuming and laborious.
Casting wax to metal-means a wax model of the desired piece is created by
→encasing it in a mold

→melting out the wax

→ and pouring molten metal into the mold to create the final piece.
Assembling parts- Many jewelers use different methods to connect parts which include soldering, welding, and physically assembling the item.
Set Stones-to set the gemstone properly in place securely.
Polishing-involves removing scratches and nicks, in order to improve the value and quality of the jewelry.
E-Coating- creates a protective layer that shield by applying a thin layer of polymer.

Social Impact

As many know, child labor around the world is a very significant problem especially in the illegal mining . The most dangerous form of child labor is children working in mines, often kids from as young as 8 years old, work and endure these grueling conditions. Child miners are especially significant in places such as, Turkey, Sub-Saharan Africa and Burkina Faso.

Moreover, working in these conditions severely affect the kids.

19% said they had seen a child die on an artisanal mining site.

87% experienced body pain, and many had been injured.

67% reported frequent or persistent coughing.

Several girls had had genital infections after working waist-deep in acidic water.

This is the reality of a child miner. Children whoare stripped of their education, childhood experiences, and safety to endure trauma that no child should face at any age. A large amount of children often use their hands to collect the heavy metals causing long term or even permanent damage to their bones. "Some work in tunnels not much wider than their bodies and risk death in the event of a cave in". Children are enduring such sickening and unpleasant conditions, all for jewelry. An item that is sold and bought for thousands of dollars at the cost of thousands of childrens lives.

Environmental Impact

Water Pollution

The refining process uses toxic chemicals such as mercury, cyanide, hydrofluoric acid, and etc. These chemicals can seep into our bodies and cause massive problems but also can negatively affect animal life as well.

Habitat Destruction

In order to get the gold and silver used for jewelry, you have to mine.These mning activies led to the deforestation ultimately destroying habitats and disruoting local ecosystems.

Carbon Emissions

The extraction process calls for a signifcant amount of energy, mainly fossil fuels which produces approx. of 36,793 tons of CO₂ of which equates to 73,586,000 pounds entering our atmosphere and actively destroying our planet.

Economic Impact

To conclude, mining provides jobs for people however because how low the wages are given to the workers, that they can not make a proper living to get basic necessities , housing, food, education, healthcare, etc. "Mines do bring jobs, but the wages often are not sufficient to meet expenses, forcing mineworkers to incur high levels of debt... often do not allow the majority of miners and affected communities to escape poverty." In addition, many mining towns lack the proper infrastructures to adequately supply the citizens. Lacking in schools, clinics, clean water, and proper transportation.

Not only is this unsustainable because mining companies are burning through fossil fuels for the sake of accessories but also unethical subjecting adults and children to these appalling conditions.